Catherine MacLellan
Album: The Raven's Sun
Label: Self Released
Tracks: 11
Website: http://www.catherinemaclellan.com

There are some albums that you take some time to get into, others you never really like and then just occasionally you find one that you love instantly. "The Raven's Sun" is definitely one of the latter from the first note to the last,

Catherine is a Canadian singer songwriter who to my embarrassment I have never heard of until this album. She has already won a host of folk awards although I think her music is also country influenced. The daughter of Canadian songwriter Gene MacLellan, the writer of Anne Murray's monster hit "Snowbird" she was born and raised in Summerside, Prince Edward Island where she still lives. This album was recorded just outside Woodstock NY and includes a guest performance by Nashville's Andy Leftwich. His playing on "Beneath the Lindens" is stunningly beautiful as is the song.

The lyrics are thought provoking, the guitar playing, mainly by long term musical partner Chris Gauthier, is superb and the overall production is full of emotion and clarity. Unusually for an album, there is not a weak track in the eleven. They are all full of class and feeling.

Catherine has been compared to Joni Mitchell and Emmylou Harris amongst others but I think this is slightly unfair. Catherine sounds to me like, well, Catherine. Unique! As I am writing this I am listening to Jack's Song with the words "you are not getting any younger." Does Catherine know something about me already I wonder?

Catherine's website is very informative and, just like her music, slightly understated. This really is a very classy lady! After a single listen of this album I think I have fallen in love with her. I think you will too. I have now listened to it a number of times and each time I have picked up on something slightly different. Considering it is a very simply produced album, this speaks volumes for the quality of the writing.

The Irish Times said of Catherine "There is something beautifully simple and honest about Catherine MacLellan's music." There is nothing that I can write here that would be able to describe it any better.

My wife, who likes "good music" as she calls it, passed by my office as I was listening to this album for the first time. She shouted out "What are you listening to? That is really nice." Enough said.

Rory Stanbridge